MADISON, Ala. — Ahead of Friday's grand opening festivities for the first BJ's Wholesale Club in the state of Alabama, representatives with the company's philanthropic arm came to Midtown Elementary School with a giant check in tow. In collaboration with DonorsChoose, the BJ's Charitable Foundation announced a $15,000 gift to the Madison City School system on Thursday.
The foundation's gift will go towards newly expanded music and arts programs across all seven of the district's elementary schools.
“We are thrilled to welcome BJ’s Wholesale Club into our community and are beyond grateful for the positive impact they have already made on our elementary schools,” said Dr. Ed Nichols, Madison City Schools Superintendent. “This generous donation will help enhance the lives of thousands of students annually in Madison.”
BJ's will also be supporting the mission of Food Bank of North Alabama, with an eye towards donating fresh food items to local families in need.
Established in 2004, the BJ’s Charitable Foundation provides essential needs to families in the local communities BJ’s members and team members live and work. Through local and national non-profit partnerships, the Foundation focuses its giving efforts on three main pillars: hunger relief, education, and health and wellness. The wholesale club's national headquarters is in Marlborough, Mass.
The Madison BJ's begins regular operations Friday and is located at 165 Graphics Drive. Like competitors Sam's Club and Costco, BJ's is a membership-based retailer offering larger and bulk-quantity grocery items as well as general merchandise. They also offer discounted gasoline to members and a number of other services.